Flowmeter calibrator



May 15, 1962 A. w. BRUECKNER 3,034,331

FLOWMETER CALIBRATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. /7/6 xdmfer WErZ/ec/zzer fr MVr/g May 15, 1962 A. w. BRUECKNER 3,034,331

FLOWMETER CALIBRATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 sz/ /v 41, J & 'J/iff INVENTOR.

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May 15, 1962 A. w. BRUECKNER 3,034,331

FLOWMETER CALIBRATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iid INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,tl34,331 FLGWMETER CALEBRATR Alexander W. Brueclsner, Farmington, Mich., assignor to George L. Nankervis Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 16, i959, Ser. No. 840,470 19 Claims. (Cl. 73-3) This invention relates to equipment for measuring the rate of iiow of a liquid and more particularly to precision equipment of that nature adapted to serve asa means for Calibrating tiowmeters.

In ya common practice, ilowmeters are calibrated by discharging the liquid owing therethrough into a container which is suspended from one arm of the beam of a balance. The empty container is initially overbalanced by a tare "weight on a weigh pan supported on the other arm of the balance so' that a quantity of liquid must be discharged into the container before balance is achieved. At that instant, timing is initiated. The container and its contents are then again overbalanced by the addition of Ia weight to the weigh pan and discharge continues until balance is again achieved. At that instant, timing is terminated. The rate of ow through the ilowmeter, in terms of weight per unit time, can then be calculated, and the rate of flow in terms of volume per unit time can be derived therefrom by determining the specific gravity of the liquid.

In that arrangement, the -fulcrum of the balance is l loaded, at the instant of initiation oi timing, by the tare weight, the weight of the beam., and the weight of the container and its then contents, and at the instant of termination of timing, the fulcrum is loaded by the tare weight and added weight, the beam weight, and the weight of the container and its then increased contents. The massiveness and the cost of construction of the balance and the wearv and amount of friction of the fulcrum vary in accordance with the amount of loading of the balance, 'and accordingly a reduction in the loading will permit a decrease in each of these factors and an increase in the sensitivity of the balance. In the noted arrangement, the loading of the fulcrum can be materially decreased only by decreasing the quantity of liquid which is discharged into the container before and during the timed interval. However, for a given rate of flow, any reduction in the quantity of liquid discharged necessitates a corresponding reduction in the timed interval and a consequent increase in the effect of the timing errors which arise, for example, lfrom the inertia of the balance or inaccuracies of the timing equipment. The reaching of a satisfactory compromise between quantities of weighed liquid and the length of the timed interval becomes more dificult with larger rates of flow, imposing serious limitations on the maximum ow capabilities of such equipments.

Accordingly, objects of the present invention are to improve the precision and consistency of measurement of liquid-dow measuring devices, to reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs of such devices, and to increase the range of rates of llo-w which can be accurately measured.

In general, the principles of the present invention are embodied in an arrangement in rwhich the liquid yfrom the owmeter under test is discharged into a iixed container or tank. A buoy, supported by the beam of a balance, is disposed within the tank in a position to become partially immersed in the inowing liquid. When the liquid in the tank 4has risen to a point to reduce the effective weight of the buoy to a preselected value, as measured by the balance, the movement of the beam of the balance initiates timing. A weight difference is then established at the balance (by adding or removing weights or by 3,034,331 Patented May l5, 1962 shifting the distance between a weight and the fulcrum of the balance) in a direction to lower the buoy in the container,y that is, in the direction of the previous inbalance. When the Huid in the tank rises to the higher level required to again shift the beam of the balance, timing is terminated and the rate of flow of the liquid is calculated.

`In this fashion, the load on the fulcrum at balance can be reduced -to a small fraction of the loading which occurred in the previously described arrangement, yand the equipment can be designed to measure extremely high rates of flow without any necessary reduction of the timing period and without excessive loading of the balance through appropriate selection of the tank and buoy sizes.

A feature of this invention is an improved means for preventing turbulence or high velocities of input flow in a system of the noted nature from adversely affecting the accuracy of measurement.

Another feature of this invention is a means for permitting adjustment of the range of operation of such calibrating equipment.

Another feature of this invention is an arrangement for adapting Calibrating equipment of the noted nature to the measurement of the rates of flow of pressurized liquids.

A further` feature of this invention is a system for controlling the operation of a dov/meter Calibrating equipment and for insuring that the rate of flow of the equipment through the ilowmeter under test is not adversely affected by the Calibrating equipment.

The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects, the nature of the `features of the present invention, and other objects and features of the present invention will r be understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention vwhen read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic view of a Calibrating equipment embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a calibrating equipment modified to permit further reduction in the loading on the lfulcrinn;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic View of the equipment of FlG. l modified to permit adjustment of the range of operation of the unit; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrarrnnatic View of the equipment of FIG. l further modiiied to provide simplified and irnproved back pressure variation compensation.

The equipment illustrated in FIG. l of the drawings comprises a Calibrating tank l@ having `an open upper end and a closed bottom l2. An aperture 14 is formed in the bottom of the tank lil, with the material adjacent that aperture being flanged downwardly to dene a valve seat f3.6l for a 'valve head 18, and a second aperture 20 is formed in the bottom of the tank 'lll spaced from the aperture 124 and lwith the material of the bottom of the tank khanged upwardly peripherally of the aperture y20- to define a valve seat '22 cooperating with valve head 24.

Calibrating tank 1d surmounts a hollow supply tank 26 and a plenum chamber 28, plenum chamber 28 being blocked from direct communication with supply tank 26. The liquid being meteredfenters the plenum chamber Z8 through input connection Sil in one end thereof and iiows into the vCalibrating tank lil through aperture 20 and between the valve head 24 and the valve seat 22.

Supply tank 26 is provided with output connections 32 and 34 and is placed in communication with the interior of Calibrating tank 10 when valve head i8 is moved from its seat 16. An overflow interconnection between calibrating tank 1t? and supply tank 26 is established by means of a cover 36 peripherally sealed to the calibrating 0.9 tank 10 and connected to an overow pipe 38 which extends downwardly parallel with the Calibrating tank 1i) and enters the supply tank 26 through an aperture in the upper wall thereof.

A fulcrum 40 is lxedly supported with respect to the calibrating tank 10 and is representatively illustrated as being mounted upon the top cover 36 thereof. A scale beam 42 is poised upon the fulcrum 40 and has a lefthand arm portion 44 supporting a counterweight 46 and a right-hand arm portion 48 supporting, through bearing 50, a weigh pan S2 and supporting, through bearing 54, a buoy 56. In the disclosed arrangement, the lever arm between fulcrum 40 and bearing 54 is shorter than the lever arm between fulcrum dit and bearing 50.

Buoy S6 is preferably cylindrical and is illustrated as being circular cylindrical. The buoy is disposed within the tank 10 in a position in which its lower end approaches but normally does not engage the bottom l2 of the tank. Its length is greater than the maximum depth of the liquid which is owed into the tank during the testing operation. The outer diameter of buoy 56 is small relative to the inner diameter of tank llt) as, for example, being a few inches in diameter relative to a Calibrating tank diameter in the order of three feet or more in a unit adapted to measure relatively large rates of ilow. Buoy S6 may be constructed of any suitable material which is not adversely affected by any of the liquids which are brought into contact therewith and having a specic gravity greater than one. Desirably, the buoy 56 shouldhave an elfective weight per unit length which is about twice the weight of the liquid which is displaced by that unit length. As the weight of the cylinder is increased beyond that point, the eifect of the mass of the beam becomes more signiicant and the sensitivity of the calibrating equipment is reduced. In a preferred arrangement, buoy 56 was a metallic tube sealed at both ends.

The valve including valve head 24 and valve seat 22 serves as a back pressure valve and is controlled by means of a rod 53 connected to the head 24, and which passes through an aperture in the top cover 36, extends in spaced relation to the beam 42 and serves as or is connected to the piston rod of a cylinder 60. Y

The valve comprising valve head 13 and valve seat 16 serves as a dump valve and is controlled by means of a rod 62 connected to the head 1.8 and which extends through an aperture in the upper cover 36 and in spaced relation to the scale beam and serves as or is connected to the piston rod of a cylinder `64,. Cylinders 6tl and 64 are iixed with respect to the tank 10 in any suitable fashion as by being secured to the top wall of a sealed pressure vessel 66 which encloses and seals all of the equipment described to this point.

While the valves could be controlled by means such as solenoids if conditions permit, the disclosed equipment was designed to measure rates of ilow of volatile and inilammable fuels and accordingly cylinders 60 and 64 are pneumatically or hydraulically actuated in the preferred arrangement.

In one mode of operation of the equipment of FIG. l, i

it is necessary to place a weight 68' upon the weigh pan 52 duringthe course of the testing. If the system is pressurized by the provision of the vessel 66, then remote control means should be provided so that the placing or removing of the weight 68 from the weigh pan 52 can be controlled externally of the vessel 66. While hydraulic, pneumatic, or, with appropriate liquids, electrical means can be employed to perform this remote control function, the controlling device has representatively been illustrated as a rod 70 having a bifurcated end 72 adapted to engage the neck and to underlie the enlarged head of the weight 68. Rod 70 is pivotally and flexibly supported in the wall of the pressurizing vessel 66 by means of a grommet 74 and is preferably also slidable in a longitudinal sense within that grommet to permit full flexibility in the handling of the weight 68.

In one mode of operation of the equipment of FIG. l, the weight 68 is initially spaced from the weigh pan 52 and supported by the rod 70. The counterweight 46 is selected in size and is positioned at a distance from the fulcrum 40 such that it does not fully counterbalance the arm 48 and its load when the tank l0 is empty. As a result, the system is out of balance.

With this condition existing and with the tank l empty, dump valve 1S is closed. The downward pressure exerted through rod 58 on valve head 24 is then adjusted to establish the desired back pressure. The inilowing liquid enters the plenum chamber 28 through the input port 30 and will, after filling the plenum chamber 28, enter the tank through the aperture 2t) and commence to fill that tank. When the liquid in the tank has risen to a preselected level, which is preferably but a relatively small portion of the depth of the tank, buoy 56 will displace a sumcient quantity of that liquid to reduce its effective weight Y to the point where the beam 42 comes to balance.

Timing should be initiated at this instant. While timing can be performed by an operator observing the beam 42` and employing a stop watch, an appreciably higher degree of accuracy can be achieved if automatic timing means are employed, and to this end, an electrical sensing device 76 is shown to be disposed above the end ofthe arm t8 of the beam 42 and in a position to be engaged by the end of that arm (or elements thereon) at the instant that the beam achieves balance or, if desired, at a point inthe movement of the beam prior to or beyond the exact point of balance. Element '76 is connected by means of a cable '7S to an electrical timer S0. Timer 86 should have the required degree of precision and, with Y the disclosed arrangement, should be responsive to a first signal via cable 7 8 to initiate timing and to continue timing until a second signal is received via that cable.

After the beamreaches balance and timing has been initiated, the weigh-t 63 is placed upon the weigh pan 52 while the inow of liquid continues. This will `again bring the system to imbalance, releasing the sensing device 76. The inflow will then continue until the liquid level in the tank l0 has risen to the point Where the amount of that liquid displaced by the buoy 56 is cutiicient to reduce the effective weight of the buoy to the point where balance is again achieved. When this occurs, 'the right-hand end of arm 43 of beam 42 will again rise to actuate device 76 to terminate the operation of timer Si). The inflow of liquid may then be terminated, the test being complete except for calculations. The tank 10 is then emptied by opening dump'valve lg and the weight 68 is removed from the weigh pan 52 in preparation for the next test.

In the described procedure, the balance is rst unbalanced in one direction, with its arm 4S lower than its arm 44, that the system is brought Ito `balance by the buoyant effect of the liquid upon cylinder 56, and that the balance is then again unbalanced in the same direction and is thereafter again brought to balance as a result of an increased buoyant effect upon the cylinder 56. As an alternative procedure, rather than placing a Weight 6% upon the Weigh pan 52 at the instant timing is initiated, the counterweight 46, or less than all of a plurality of counterweights 46, can be removed (by remote control equipment if the pressurizing vessel 66 is provided) to accomplish the same result with a further reduction in the loading of the fulcrurn 40.

It will be observed that the input aperture 20 in the tank l@ is spaced from the buoy 56 so that the stream of intlowing liquid will not normally directly impinge upon the buoy 56. kHowever, to insure that the momentum and/ or turbulence of the input liquid flow will not have any substantial impact effect upon the buoy 56 and hence upon the balance, and to disperse any velocity head and insure 4a uniform rise of the liquid in the tank, a baie 82 is preferably fixed to the bottom 12 `of the tank l0 in a position to shield the buoy 56 from the input stream.

In the preferred arrangement, baiile S2 is in the form of a plate disposed between the buoy 56 and the port 2d. Since the plate does not extend from wall to wall of the tank 10, liquid level adjacent lthe buoy Se will be equal to the liquid level at other points in the tank 1u.

As previously stated, :the equipment thus far described is particularly suited to the Calibrating of various forms of flow-metering ydevices and, particularly, impeller types of ilowmeters which are available `on the open market. The system for producing the requisite liquid oW through the lowmeter 84 under test includes, in the illustrated arrangement, low yand high capacity pumps S6 and S8, a iilter 9h, a heat exchanger 92 `and various control valves. Liquid is drawn from the supply tank 26 through output port 32 by low capacity pump 86 or through `output port 34 Iby high capacity pump d8. if the high capacity pump $3 is placed into operation, the liquid from the supply tank 26 iiows through the output connection 34, through pipe 94, swing check valve 96, pipe 98, manual shutoff valve lidi? (which is open), pipe N2, `and through pump 83 to pipe 194, some liquid also flowing through the idle low capacity pump if shutoff valve M6 is open. Conversely, if the loW capacity pump 86 is placed in operation, pump d8 4is not operated. Liquid from the supply tank 26 then flows through `output connection 32, pipe 1&8, valve 1%, pipe liti, low capacity pump S6, pipe v1432, through the now static high capacity pump iid and to pipe StG-1, return ow being prevented by the Swing check valve 96 if valve 1G90 is open.

lin either case, the liquid in pipe 14M flows through la iilter 90 which serves to remove foreign solids which might interfere with the operation of the equipment and of the oper-ation 'of the owmeter 8d, and through pipe 112 to the heat exchanger 92. Heat exchanger 92 serves to control the temperature of the liquid and normally comprises a tank containing a series or" coolant-carrying tubes so as to reduce the temperature of the liquid. However, it will be appreciated that heat exchanger 92 may be employed to elevate lthe temperature of the liquid if it is `desired to calibrate the dov/meter 84 for high temperature liquids.

The liquid leaves the heat exchanger 92 via pipe lid, and passes through a valve 116 which is an element of a 'controller H8, through pipe ill?, manual control valve H2, pipe 24, and through the ilovvrnetery S4 to the input connection 3G. The valve comprising head 24 and seat 22 in the -calibrating equipment serves to establish a pressure drop thereacross which is reflected as la back pressure .to the flou/meter VS4' to prevent cavitation and to insure proper operation of the flowmeter S4. Other means may be employed, if desired, yfor establishing this back pressure as, for example, by disposing the iiowmeter upstream of valve 122 or just upstream of valve 116.

As the Calibrating tank ills, the head Will increase and lthe magnitude of the back pressure upon the flowmeter S4 will increase, resulting in a reduction of the pressure drop across owmeter 34 and `a reduction in the pressure drop `across the control valve 122, and thereby producing a reduction in the rate of oW. iIn `order to maintain a constant flow rate for improved calibration accuracy, means are provided for increasing the upstream pressure in accordance with the increase in 'back pressure Vso as to maintain the pressure drops across the owmeter 84 under test and across the control valve 122 constant. This means comprises the controller 118 which adjusts the upstream pressure and the pilot valve 12o for continuously sensing the effective magnitude of the back pressure. These elements have not been illustrated indetail since suitable forms thereof are well known and cornniercially available.

Pilot 126 comprises a flow-contmlling valve controlled by a diaphragm which is responsive to the pressure of a liquid applied thereto through pipe 130. Pipe 13) extends through an aperture in the Wall of the pressurizing Vessel 66 and through the side Wall of the calibrating tank 1h at a point near the bottom thereof. Accordingly, the pressure lof the liquid applied to the diaphragm of pilot valve 126 varies in accordance with the magnitude of the head of the liquid in Calibrating tank 1G. As that head and the pressure at the diaphragm of the pilot valve 26 increases, the piiot valve 26 correspondingly opens to increase the rate of dow of liquid from pipe 132 to pipe 134. Pipe 132 is connected to pipe tid through a iixed restriction 136 and pipe 134 is connected to pipe 120. The pressure of the liquid in pipe i312 is sensed by the pressure responsiveelement i158 of `the controller 11%, that element, in common commercial practice, again bcing a diaphragm or equivalent means. Pressure responsive element llS controls the valve lid of the controller 118, a reduction in the pressure applied to element B resulting in a corresponding opening of the valve iid, and an increase in pressure upon the element 138 resulting in a corresponding closing of the valve H6.

As the head in the Calibrating tank i0 increases, valve 126 opens correspondingly to increase the iluid ow from pipe iid through pipes i3?. and i3d, producing a correspondingly increased pressure drop across the ixed restriction .i3 and a corresponding reduction in the pressure of the liquid in pipe 23.32. This reduction in pressure in pipe 32, as applied to the pressure responsive element 133 of controller 11S, results in a corresponding opening of valve lilo, tending to produce an increase in the rate of liquid flow from pipe i14- to pipe 12d through valve ilo. However, this tendency toward increased flow exactly compensates for the reduction in the pressure difference between pipe 14 land input pipe 3?/ resulting from the increase of head in tank it), so that the rate of liquid ilow from pipe lift, through controlier valve H6, through pipe E23, through control valve 22, through pipe 12d, and through the iiowrneter 8d remains constant despite the increase in head in the Calibrating tank tu. Otherwise stated, the total pressure drop between pipe 114 and input connection 3d appears (apart from pressure drops in the pipes) across valve 116, valve 122, and the iiowmeter 84. As the pressure difference between pipe iid and input connect-ion 36' decreases due to the n'se in head in tank iii, valve iid is opened so that the pressure drop across that valve is decreased correspondingly so as tomaintain the pressure drop across valve 1.22 and across the owmeter 8d constant. A constant uid pressure drop across control valve 122 and flou/meter 84 signifies a constant rate of fluid ow through those elements.

it will be appreciated that the amount of liquid which is bled through pipes 132 and 134 is so minute relative to the primary dow through pipes 114 and 120 as not to affect the uniformity of the rate of primary ilow with changes in the head in tank it).

FG. 2 of the drawings represents a modified construction which is or may be identical to the structure of FIG. l in all portions thereof not specifically shown in the fragmentary View of FIG. 2. In this modified arrangement, the fulcrum d0 of the balance is mounted upon a bracket idd secured to the Wall of the Calibrating tank id'. Beam 42', pivoted at fulcrum 4h', has an arm 44 which` supports, through the medium of bearing 54, the buoy S6', and an arm ed which supports, through bear-v ing Sti', the weigh pau 52. The sensing device 76 for sensing the changes of position of the beam 42 is shown to be disposed in sensing relationship With elements of the bearing Sei.

In the use of the equipment illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, a weight is placed upon weigh pan 52 which is not suiciently heavy to counterbalance buoy 56 when the tank i0 is empty of liquid. As liquid is Aflowed into the tank iti', cylinder 56 is buoyed to the point where beam 42 is brought intobalance. This condition is sensed by device 76 to initiate timing. Thereafter, the weight (or a portion thereof) is removed from the Weigh pan 52 to again shift the bea-rn 42 to imbalance in the original direction. When suliicient additional liquid has been flowed into the tank l" to buoy the cylinder 56 suiiciently to again bring the beam d2 to balance, sensing device '/'6' is actuated to terminate the timing oper-ation. With this modified arrangement, the fulcrum 40 is loaded, at the instant of the initiation of timing, by an amount (assuming for simplicity, equal lever arms) equal to twice the weight of the weigh pan or tare Weight plus the weight of the =beam 42. At the instant of the termination of timing, the fulcrum 40 is loaded to a lesser degree.

It will be apparent in this modilication that if the eilective density of the cylinder '5o' is greater than .the density of the liquid being iiowed, some weight will have to be left upon the weigh pan S2 (again assuming equal lever arms) after timing is initiated.

FiG. 3 discloses a modiiied arrangement in which means are provided for shifting the measuring capacity of the runit to a major degree so that the unit will have the capability of accurately measuring large rates ot iiow when necessary and yet be capable of measuring lof-.ver rates orf flow with equal accuracy. If a tank of the type shown in FiG. l is of proper size to measure with the requisite accuracy relatively low rates of iiow, the accuracy of measurement will tend to be reduced at higher rates or" liow since the timing period becomes shorter, and conversely, if the tank is large enough to properly measure relatively large rates of iiow, the timing period for the lov/er rates of iiow becomes excessively long. In the arrangement of FIG. 3, the range of the unit can be shifted so that approximately the same length of time will elapse between the initiation and termination of timing with a relatively low rate of flow as will elapse with a relatively high rate of iiow.

Except for modifications to be described, the apparatus of FIG. 3 is or may be identical to the apparatus of FIG. l `and corresponding parts have been designated with corresponding reference numerals suilixed by a double-prime symbol.

In the modified arrangement, a low range calibrating tube 14d is disposed within the tank 10 and in surrounding relation with the buoy 56 and the input aperture 20". Tube 144 is open at its top while its lower edge engages an annular seat 146 mounted upon the botto-m of tank l0. Tube 144 is movable between the illustrated seated position and a raised position under the control of device 143 which can be ahydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid serving to move a rod 150 in a vertical sense. Rod 150 is secured to a bracket 152 which extends diametrically of the tube 144 and is secured thereto. A spider or other similar perfor-ate device can alternatively be employed for interconnecting the rod 159 and the tube 144. Rod 150 extends through an aperture in the cover 36 and is spaced from the beam 42 so as not to interfere with the operation thereof. Device 148 is ixed with respect to the tank `lil in any suitable fashion.

With the tube 144 in its seated position, as illustrated, the inowing liquid will iill only the cavity delined by lthe tube 144 so that, for any given rate of ow, the rate of liquid rise will be greater than it would be Were the tube ldd not present. The system otherwise operates as above described, with the diameter of the tube 14d being selected to provide an appropriate interval between the point of initiation of timing and the point of termination of timing for a selected range of rates of liquid ow. At the termination of the measuring operation, the liquid is released from tube 144 by actuating device 14S to raise tube 144 from its seat `146 and by opening dump valve i8. It will be perceived that dump valve 1S" can, if desired, be left opened throughout the measuring operation.

To measure a higher range of rates of liquid flow, device 148 is actuated to lift tube 144 from its seat 146 and the equipment is then operated identically to the equipment of FIG. 1. l

It is also contemplated that a plurality of tubes similar es) to tube 1414 of progressively increasing sizes could be provided to provide a plurality of measuring ranges if desired. It is also contemplated that the tube 144 could be shaped and arranged so as not to surround the input aperture E0, a separate input aperture and controlling valve therefor being provided for that tube. In that case, when the tube is lifted from its seat for measurement in the high rate-of-liow range, the tube will also serve as a baiile for the buoy.

While the illustrated use of vertically movable tubes for shifting the range of operation of the apparatus is preferred7 it will be appreciated that an object of appropriate size and Weighing more than an equivalent volume of liquid could be lowered into the tank of FIG. l to decrease the eective volume of that tank by a known amount so as to provide for a lower range of rates of liquid flow.

It was found that over a range of flows from about 300 pounds of liquid per hour to over 4,000 pounds per hour, a constructed embodiment of the invention even without the use of the range adjusting means of FIG. 3 was accurate to within about 0.2% and that the variation between repetitive runs at the same rate of tlow was less than about 0.1%.

In the apparatus and system illustrated iu FIG. 4 of the drawings, the back pressure variation compensating equipment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings is omitted and other means are provided for accomplishing such compensation. In the system of FIG. 4, the valve head 24a. for the back pressure valve is, instead of a disc-like member as shown in FIG. l, an elongated member. Valve head 2da serves as a buoy. Its length is greater than lthe maximum depth of the liquid which is liowed into the tank during the test operation. yFor best compensation, the major portion of the valve head should have a uniform cross-sectional area equal to the crosssectional area of the port 20a. To that end, the valve head 24a has been illustrated as having small flange 159 at the bottom to insure proper alignment and engagement with the valve seat 22a. The valve head 24a is illustrated as being of approximately the same length as that of buoy '56a and as being circular cylindrical. The density of the valve head 24a is not critical. Since a buoying etiect will be experienced by a cylinder substantially greater in density than that of the liquid, the valve head may, if desired, be several or many times as dense as that liquid. Conversely, if means including pressure source `l'lt` are provided for exerting a downward force upon the valve head, the valve head itself may in fact have a density less than that of the liquid.

The upper end of valve head 24a is connected by a valve stem `58a to a plate 160. A flexible diaphragm lo?. extends between the plate 160 and interconnected peripheral clamping members 164 and 166. Member 164 is secured to the upper plate 16S of the housing 60a which is in turn supported by vessel 66a. The cavity 169 within the housing 60a below the diaphragm 162 is or may be vented to the atmosphere by a vent 17?, in which case cavity 169 is preferably sealed from communication with the interior of vessel 66a, while the cavity 171 within 4housing 60a above diaphragm 162 is connected by a hose or pipe 172 to a pressure source 174.

The liquid is drawn lfrom the supply tank 26a via the output pipe Ma which is connected to a pump 88a. If desired, a low capacity pump and a high capacity pump may be employed alternatively as is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The output of pump 88a and applied through a -iilter a to a heat exchanger 92a and the output of heat exchanger 92a is passed through a control valve 12M and via pipe 12,441 to a flowmeter 34a or other device under test or calibration. The output of the owmeter 84a is connected via a pipe 30a to the plenum chamber 28a. The port 20a between plenum chamber 28a and the volume within the Calibrating tank a is controlled by the valve head 24a in cooperation with the valve seat 22a.

The initial downward force of the valve head 2da upon Ithe valve seat 22a is determined by a number of ifactors, including the selected pressure applied from pressure sou-ree 174 to volume 171 and the weight of the valve head 24a. These factors contribute to the establishment of a uid back pressure for the flowmeter 84a.

As previously noted, as the calibrating tank lita lls, the head will increase and the magnitude of the back pressure upon the -flowmeter 84a will tend to increase, resulting in a reduction of the pressure drop across the flowmeter 84a and across the control valve 122a and thereby producing a reduction in the rate of iiow. However, in the arrangement of FIG. 4, the formation of the valve lhead 24a asV an enlarged body compensates for this tendency. Thus, as the liquid level rises, the buo'ying of the valve head 24a reduces the eective weight of that valve head and hence reduces the total exerted downward force, thereby tending to reduce the back pressure. The rate at which the ybuoying of the valve head 24a tends to reduce the back pressure matches the rate at which the back pressure tends to increase due to the increasing vol'urne of liquid within the tank 10 and consequently the eiective back pressure exerted upon the flowmeter 84a remains constant.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible -to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope o-r fair meaning of the subjo'ined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of measuring the rate of flow of liquid into a tank of known size containing an elongated member which is heavier than the liquid which it displaces and which is supported within but spaced from the walls and bottom of the tank by a balance which is unbalanced as a result of the weight of the member comprising the steps of ilowing liquid into the tank until the balance reaches balance as a result of the buoyant effect upon the member of the liquid as it rises in the tank, initiating timing, adjusting the load on the balance to unbalance the balance in the initial direction, continuing to ow liquid into the tank until the balance again reaches balance, and terminating timing.

2. Apparatus for Calibrating a flowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall and a bottom, a balance having two arms, an elongated member supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall and bottom of said tank, means including said member for unbalancing said balance in the direction of said member, a source of liquid, means for Howing liquid from said source through the owmetering device and into said tank, timing means, means effective when said balance reaches balance as a result of the buoyant eiect of the liquid on said member for actuating said timing means, and means effective after said balance has been again unbalanced in said direction and when said balance again reaches balance for deactuating said timing means.

3. Apparatus for calibrating a tlowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a b-alance having two arms, anV elongated member supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the Wall and bottom of said tank, a source of liquid, means for ilowing liquid from said source through the flowmetering device and into said tank, and liquid flow controlling means disposed downstream of the -owmetering device for establishing a back pressure -for the device comprising an input valve at said tank.

4. Apparatus for calibrating a owmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated member supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall and bottom of said tank, a source of liquid, means for owing liquid from said source through the owmetering device and into said tank, and liquid flow controlling means disposed downstream of the iiowmetering device for establi'shing a back `pressure for the device.

5. The combination of claim 4 further including a pressurizing vessel surrounding and enclosing said tank and said member.

6. The combination of claim 4 in which said member is circular cylindrical and has a length greater than the depth of the tank.

7. The combination of claim 4 further including bangle means disposed Within said tank and lbetween said port and said member,

8. The combination of claim 4 further including means responsive to the varying depth of the liquid in said tank for maintaining a liquid-pressure diierential across the device which is independent of variations of said depth of said liquid.

9. The combination of claim 4 further including means for reducing the eiective volume of said tank into which the liquid is owed.

l0. The combination of claim 4 further including tube means disposed in said tank and surrounding said member and said port for reducing the eective volume of said tank into which liquid is flowed.

l1. The combination of claim 10 further including a seat for the bottom end of said tube mounted on the bottom of said tank and sealing the interior 0f said tube from the remaining volume of said tank.

l2. The combination of claim 1l further including means for selectively raising said tube from said seat.

13. Apparatus for Calibrating a -ilowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall of said tank, means for owing liquid through the flou/metering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating fo.r variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank.

14. Apparatus for Calibrating a iiowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall of said tank, means for owing liquid through the ilowmetering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating for variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank comprising an elongated valve head in cooperating relationship with said liquid-input port and buoyable by the liquid in said tank.

15. Apparatus for Calibrating a flowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall of said tank, means for owing liquid through the ilowmetering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating for variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank comprising an elongated valve head in cooperating relationship with said liquid-input port and buoyable by the liquid in said tank in proportion to the level of the liquid in said tank.

16. Apparatus for Calibrating a owmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall of said tank, means for flowing liquid through the owmetering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating for variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank comprising an elongated valve head in cooperating relationship with said liquid-input port and buoyable by the liquid in said tank and having a uniform cross-sectional area and a length greater than the maximum depth of the liquid which is iiowed into said tank during the testing operation.

17. The combination of claim 16 in which the area of said valve head over the major portion of its length is equal to the cross-sectional area of said port.

18. Apparatus for calibrating a flowmetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arrn of said balance in a position within but spaced from the wall of said tank, means for owing liquid through the owmetering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating for variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank comprising an elongated valve head in cooperating relationship with said liquid-input port and buoyable by the liquid in said tank and means additional to the weight of said valve head for exerting a force tending to move said valve head into engagement with said input port.

19. Apparatus for Calibrating a owrnetering device comprising a tank having a wall, a bottom and a liquidinput port, a balance having two arms, an elongated buoy supported by one arm of said balance in a position within but spaced from the Wall of said tank, means for ilowing liquid through the owmetering device and into said tank through said port, and means for compensating for variations in the back pressure exerted on the device due to the increase in liquid level in the tank comprising an elongated valve head in cooperating relationship with said liquid-input port and buoyable by the liquid in said tank and means additional to the Weight of said valve head for exerting a force tending to move said valve head into engagement with said input port comprising means including uid pressure means exerting a downward force on said valve head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Loizzo et al. Mar. 10, 

